Interview with a Character: One of the Oraspighi

Rita:  This week we will interview a member of the Oraspighi.  The Oraspighi were a race the former galactic rulers passed over in favor of us, the descendants of the Earthlings who joined the Compire more than 2200 years ago.  What is your designation, Oraspighi? Zdravstweetye:  I am called Zdravstweetye: among the members of my own race.   Rita:  So you are a separate species from us humans? Zdravstweetye:  I am just as human as you are, ma’am.  The Ones Who Ruled had a very broad definition of human. Rita: I am sorry if I’ve offended you, sir. Zdravstweetye: It’s all right.  I’m used to it. In all truth, you offend me just by existing, just by being a member of the accursed Earthlings.  But the Ones Who Ruled created you, so I suppose I should accept that they preferred you above all the others.   Rita:  You still seem so bitter over something which happened so long ago. Zdravstweetye:  I carry the rare memory in my genes.   Rita:  You’re all little guys, aren’t you?  You must have a tough time in the supermarket, reaching things down from the upper shelves. Zdravstweetye:  Not so. I can levitate at any height I choose.  (floats up to look down on Rita.) See? Rita:  Yes, I see. Zdravstweetye: (shape shifts to become a twin of Rita)  I can also shape shift. Long ago one of us took the shape of a serpent in order that we might show your essential iniquity to the OWR, and demonstrate how unsuitable you are for galactic rulership, but they tricked us, and said this experience made you even more suitable for rulership, because you were now wise and knowledgeable. Rita:  You can return to being the little orange guy now.  I get your point. Zdravstweetye:  If you exist long enough without blowing yourselves out of existence, your race will evolve to the point where it can do these things too.   Rita:  As an individual, besides shape shifting, what hobbies or pastimes do you have? Zdravstweetye:  Creating havoc and mischief among the human race is my favorite pastime.  Can you imagine the sheer power that involves? Rita: I can think of a couple of figures in human Earthling mythology who you resemble.  One is Loki, the Trickster from Norse mythology, and the other is Satan, a Judeo-Christian thoughtform.   Zdravstweetye:  One or another of us has played those roles at one time or another.   Rita:  Another, from the Plains Native American mythos is Coyote, and still another is Crow or Raven.  Tricksters seem to abound all over Earthling mythology, and you’re trying to tell me and my readers that they were all members of your race in various guises? Zdravstweetye:  Yep, they were. Rita:  Hope you’re having a Happy Thanksgiving in the USA.  Next week, who knows what I’ll do? ReplyForward

Simple Recipes from Rita

Today I am going to share two recipes with you; one is for a slightly more prosperous holiday gathering, the other for a poverty-stricken meal.  

CANDIED SWEET POTATOES

2 30 oz cans sweet potatoes, drained

8 ozs mini-marshmallows white or multi colored

1/2 C brown sugar

1 large egg

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Pour the sweet potatoes into a large casserole dish. Pour in egg, sugar, and spice Whip at medium speed until light and fluffy. Gently fold in marshmallows so that a few remain on top. Cover.   Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Serve with your turkey or ham. Enjoy. Serves 6

FOOD STAMP Chicken Soup

2 chicken thighs.  Don’t worry if they are frozen, They’ll thaw as they’re cooking.  

1 small package frozen peas or green beans.  Actually, you can use any vegetable you fancy.

2 packages Chicken flavor Ramen.  There are 2 or three brands on the market, but I believe the most popular brand is Top Ramen, the 2nd most popular is Maruchan Ramen.  

Cook chicken in a 3qt sauce pan in 1 quart water and the contents of the flavor packets from the Ramen packages.  Cook it until the meat falls off the bones, stirring occasionally. Take out the bones and gristle from the chicken and discard.  Add vegetable and noodles, simmer until a bean or pea is hot all the way through 3-5 minutes, and the noodles are al dente. Add pepper to taste and serve.  Serves 2.

I used to take the thighs, ramen, and frozen vegetable in a waterproof bag to my friend’s apartment on the bus, and the frozen ingredients would thaw while I rode the bus to his place.  Ramen has plenty of salt in it, so I only say to add pepper.

Are we truly alone?

The notion of an author sitting in a small, cramped space pounding out word after word in near darkness is one we have come to recognize. Perhaps, its one we have even come to accept and expect from those who take up the pen.

But is there any truth to it?

Isolation is a single part of being a writer. When writing we don't typically surround ourselves with other people. It is a mechanism to ensure success, and it lends itself to some misconceptions. Writers do not do it because we are anti-social but because it is the natural path to productivity and meeting the goals we set. After a period of time, it becomes second nature, and we simply continue it.

The word, isolation, however, does not necessarily mean we are sitting in a cramp, dark little room with endless cups of cold coffee and crumpled paper. No, there are times when we are sitting in a crowded space working on our projects, our focus on the story. Segregation does not require one to be separate from others, it can be a state of mind.

I have met several authors who find working around others to be too distracting. They are often drawn from their craft by other conversations, interruptions, and other distractions. Isolation, for them, is the only way to write and it is a truth they've learned the hard way. For these authors, it is a vital part of ensuring success, but for others, they find success in a different form of separation.

For example, J K Rowlins wrote The Harry Potter books - in a coffee shop. Being a public space, it is safe to assume she was not alone. Yet, her ability to meet the quotas and deadlines she had set for herself within the limits of her location and time is truly impressive. Her environment was noisy, crowded, boisterous and yet she managed to create an amazing story we can all recognize. Physically, she was part of a crowd, mentally, she was isolated and focused.

There are moments for each of us where we are writing while we are engaging with others. Even in the most minute way. For some of us, however, true isolation is needed. Where we set aside the time to write when the house is quiet, the day is done, and perhaps we are alone while everyone else sleeps. Every author is different.

You may say, there are some writers who spend their time in a crowded office working on their writing, and this is a prime example of isolation whilst included. As a professional one needs to understand their writing habits and curate healthy mechanisms to ensure deadlines can be met. Those who spend their time surrounded by others in the office setting have learned how to work within the confines of their environment. It is not something you can simply do, you have to learn how to recognize distractions and how to tune them out to ensure you're able to work.

Interview with a Character: Kaguhi Maimun-Cheng

Rita:  This week we’re interviewing Kaguhi Mainmun-Cheng, Takel’s older sister, and Takuhi’s daughter.  Like her mother, Kaguhi is a Kulturologist. Do you have to be bred for this work, Kaguhi?

Kaguhi:  Our DNa is designed for it, yes.  But when the Order was first started, over 2 millennia ago, having the right qualities and traist was a matter of chance.  Many girls washed out of the Order before people were able to genetically design their babies, and then, it was largely a matter of who would be willing and able to raise these children until they would be able to join the Cloister at the age of 7.  

Rita:  You mean love and care for a child, knowing she wasn’t truly “yours.”

Kaguhi:   My grandmother did it, and so did my mother.  But Grandmere did it as a kind of second career.  She had raised two sets of three before my mother, my uncle, and aunt came along, and raised two more sets after them.  She liked her children in sets of three, for some reason.

Rita:  I think it’s interesting that you have chosen to carry on in your career as a Kulturologist, instead of living full time in the palace, leading the life of a Compirial Princess.

Kaguhi:  Of course I must.  Can you think of any life more deathly dull than that of a princess?  Oh, please, give me a break! And that silly wave we’re supposed to do when we’re out in public!  That’s strictly yawnsville.  

Rita:I can see where you would grow weary of that life, as active a young woman as you are.  But when you do have to spend time at the palace, in between missions, what do you like to do for fun?

Kaguhi:  I like to dance.  Do you have any idea how huge the rooms are in that place?  Why, the refectory at the Cloister would fit in my bed chamber, with room left over for my brother’s workout room.  So in my bedchamber, I have plenty of room to dance, really stretch out, you know? I think there used to be a lot more furniture in the room, but my mother had it moved out, because she knew how much I love to dance.

Rita:  Which styles do you do?

Kaguhi:  Oh, you name them, I’ll at least try it.  Nearly all the styles of old lost Erth, plus a few of the world out here.  I even learned one from the Cat people, you know, one of our allies in the war against the reptilians and the bugs.  By the way, Rita, do you know why Kujlturologist is always spelled with a capital K?

Rita:  I think I did know once upon a time.  Oh, do tell us. I’m sure our readers are dying to know.

Kaguhi:  It comes from the German word das Kultur.  German was one of Erth’s languages. It means the arts, the humanities.  I went to the German planet UberAlles after graduation to check whether their society had developed any unfortunate tendencies, like fascism, you know.  But it was a freewheeling happy society. I developed a taste for microbrew beer there. Great place, and great sausages.

Rita:  What is your favorite treat or food?

Kaguhi:  I am a confirmed chocoholic, and when it’s cold out, I like to snuggle up with a big mug of Mexihot chocolate with lots of foam on top, and just the merest touch of rum to deepen the chocolate flavor.  That’s one of the few luxuries I love about hanging around my mother’s palace. Her chef Henri makes the best hot chocolate I have ever had. And I thought the hot chocolate at the Cloister was good. It doesn’t even hold a candle to Henri’s.  I don’t know how he does it. He won’t let me in the kitchen to observe. If there’s snything we SIster love to do it’s observe how people do things/  

Rita:  Thank you, Kaguhi, or should I call you Your Highness?

Kaguhi:  You do, and get ready to be throttled.  

Rita:  That was most enlightening.  Until next week, Bright Stars!